House of Memories (2 page)

“So am I,” Edgar said. “But I don't know when.”

The two of them sat, both thinking hard. Outside, it was very dark.

On the roof of the house, something as black as the night began to crawl down the chimney.

Mary looked up. She saw a very old woman standing in the middle of the room.

Mary gave a loud scream.

Edgar turned to look. He felt the hairs on his neck stand on end.

The old woman didn't say anything.

Then Edgar and Mary both spoke at the same time.

“Who are you?” said Edgar.

“What do you want?” said Mary.

The woman stepped forward. She had long white hairs hanging over her face.
Just like cobwebs
, thought Edgar.

The old woman smiled. She had cracked lips and broken, rotting teeth.

“My name is Arak,” the old woman said. “It's nice to see you, my dears. I don't get many visitors. I live here.”

Mary said, “You weren't here when we came in. Where were you?”

“Outside,” said Arak. “You didn't hear me come in. I don't make much noise. It's easier to live in the forest if you keep quiet.”

“It's easier to creep up on people, too!” said Mary.

“And what about you?” asked the old woman. “Why are you two lovely children alone in the forest?”

“Oh, we're not alone…” began Edgar. Mary stamped on his foot to make him stop talking. “Ow!” he said.

“We just like to explore,” said Mary. “We should go now.”

The old woman's eyes went narrow.

“Oh, my dears, you must not go into the forest at night,” she said. “That's not a good idea. You must stay here with me. We have so much to talk about.”

Mary felt scared. “We have to go,” she said. “We don't know you.”

“Don't you?” said Arak. “I think you do.”

She turned to Edgar. “Edgar, you said there was someone with you. Who is he?”

Mary stared at her. “Edgar didn't say it was a man. And how do you know Edgar's name?”

Arak didn't answer that. She said, “Do you remember this house, my dears?”

“We think we have been here before. But we don't know when,” Edgar said.

“I'm glad you remember,” said Arak. “Now, tell me about the man who left you here.”

“He didn't leave us!” Mary shouted.

“Yes, he did. We're here, and he's not,” Edgar said.

Arak said, “Is this man Mr Blood, the Dark Hunter?”

Edgar nodded.

“I thought so,” said Arak. “Listen, my dears. Mr Blood is not what you think. He says he is a good man. But as long as you are with him, you are in danger.”

Edgar thought about all the evil beasts and monsters that Mr Blood had fought. It was true. He and Mary were always in danger.

“You still haven't told us how you know about us,” said Mary.

The old woman gave her a kind look. “Sit down, my dear. I will tell you the truth about you and Mr Blood now. But it will be hard for you to hear it.”

Mary did not sit. “I don't want to listen to you,” she said. “Mr Blood is like our father.”

Edgar said, “Let's hear what she has to say. What harm can it do?”

“Edgar, this doesn't feel right,” Mary said. “Something bad is going on. We should leave.”

Edgar was angry. “I want to know what Arak has to say! I'm staying.”

“If Mary wants to leave, we must let her,” said Arak. “I don't want to keep her here against her will.”

Then Arak gave a shrill laugh. “Not that I could do that, of course. I'm only a poor old woman.”

Mary ran to the door and pulled it open. Then she screamed.

Mr Blood stood a few steps away from the house.

He was still as a stone. It was as if he had frozen as he ran towards the house. Mary knew he was under a spell.

“What have you done to him?” Mary turned to Arak. “It was you, wasn't it? You put a spell on him. Who are you? What do you want from us?”

Arak said nothing. She began to walk in slow circles around Edgar's chair.

Edgar tried to get up. But his legs and arms would not move. He could only sit still and stare at her.

It must be a spell! He felt like a fly in a spider's web.

As she walked, Arak began to talk.

“Years ago, I took care of two small children. You two children. I fed you, and I loved you, and I taught you. I taught you to be strong. You were very strong,” she said, looking at Mary.

“And I taught you to listen to your feelings. That was your gift, my dear.” She touched Edgar's cheek.